Turning Antagonist to Protagonist: He is Both Soft and Fierce-Chapter 190 - 185: Is the Villain Coming Back?

A dead branch fell from the bare peach tree outside in the early morning.

Inside

Seeing the sleeping youth shaking his head as if terrified, Lin Qiao reached out and nudged him, "Uncle, Uncle?"

After a while, the youth opened his eyes, filled with sorrow and hatred. Their gaze met, and Lin Qiao couldn’t help but feel a chill.

His eyes were too much like those of the villain in her dreams.

She took a few steps back and tried to call again, "Uncle?"

Could the villain have returned too?

Wouldn’t that play her to death?

The youth regained clarity from his nightmare. He turned his head to look beside him, his voice slightly hoarse, "Sister-in-law."

Upon hearing him, Lin Qiao breathed a sigh of relief. She could still distinguish between the little rabbit and the villain.

She was scared to death just now.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

"Yeah." Song Tingfan didn’t dare to look at her. Recalling the scenes in his dream, his face turned paler.

He had been having nightmares for a long time.

Clearly, he and his sister-in-law were not like that.

"What did you dream about?" Lin Qiao was curious what kind of nightmare could make him show the villain’s eyes.

Looking at her gentle face, Song Tingfan couldn’t possibly admit what he dreamt about. He lowered his head and lied, "I dreamt of many vicious dogs chasing me."

Dreaming of vicious dogs again?

Lin Qiao worried if he had been possessed, constantly dreaming of being chased by dogs, planning to find an exorcist in the county.

She poured him a bowl of water, "Have some water."

Song Tingfan drank a few sips, clearing his mind, and the fear of the nightmare dissipated too.

Seeing that it was already light outside, he remembered he had to go to town today, and quickly got out of bed.

He forgot the book his grandpa gave him was still on the bed. With a "clap," it fell to the ground and opened by itself.

Two little stick figures intertwined, with a chair underneath.

The atmosphere in the room froze instantly.

Lin Qiao was stunned, not because of the explicit drawing but the simplicity of its lines.

But, cough, did they play so openly in ancient times too?

On a chair.

Cough, her face reddened, "Cough, I’m going out," she said hastily and rushed out, closing the door behind her.

Song Tingfan’s face turned red as blood, and after a while, he picked up the book, stuffing it into the bottom of the box, covering it with more clothes.

This awkwardness between uncle and sister-in-law persisted into the town.

Fortunately, they left the village early, with some time before noon. After the government official inside reported, they were allowed in.

Before entering, Lin Qiao glanced at the surrounding onlookers. As soon as they went in, many people gathered at the door, chattering.

"Wasn’t that young widow brought from the brothel?"

"Most likely, she’s so pretty and fresh-looking, no wonder the brothel was tempted."

"But that brothel has no decency, forcing someone who didn’t want to sell themselves, too lawless."

"Quiet down, if the official hears you, you’ll be hauled in for a beating."

"I’m not afraid, it’s true, why should we little people suffer in silence? I heard this family had to cough up fifty taels of silver for the brothel, begging everywhere to gather the sum."

"I heard so too, it’s too tragic, almost got in trouble and had to pay back fifty silver."

"Exactly, I think the brothel should compensate them, that third uncle had no right to sell them."

"We understand, but the one inside might not, who knows how much he’s taken. I say this County Magistrate should be replaced."

"Hey, keep it down, or you’ll be in trouble later."

In a nearby carriage, a curtain was lowered, and a young man in lake-blue clothing looked at the shopkeeper in his thirties or forties beside him, "Is it her?"

"Yes, sir, it was that young woman just now. Her pattern designs, one of them has reached ten thousand pieces lately," the shopkeeper responded.

The shopkeeper was the manager of the Ruyi Shop. After a pause, he explained, "I couldn’t decide on my own, so I had to inform you, sir."

The young man was silent for a moment, "Are you sure the designs are hers?"

"I’m sure, I’ve seen her revise the designs once," said the shopkeeper.

"Make arrangements, say it’s on my orders. Once the matter is resolved, bring her to meet me," the young man said and closed his eyes to rest.

"Yes." The shopkeeper quietly got off the carriage, then spoke to the government official. Recognizing him, the official quickly went inside to relay the message.

Soon, the shopkeeper led him to the back of the government office. Just after the County Magistrate sat down, he got up and left, without saying a word to those kneeling on the ground.

Lin Qiao had prepared her victim persona, but before she could act, the County Magistrate was gone.

Lin Han, drenched in sweat from fear, was terrified the official might change his mind.

Song Tingfan glanced sideways at her, moved a bit over, and whispered, "Sister-in-law, don’t be afraid."

Though he was a bit scared himself, he consoled her; Lin Qiao smiled mildly, "Alright, I’m not afraid." As she spoke, she gently patted the back of his hand, comforting him not to be scared.

She truly wasn’t afraid; the County Magistrate wouldn’t openly flout the law in front of so many people.

After all, the current emperor was cracking down on corrupt officials, and generally, officials wouldn’t go too far. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

About a quarter of an hour later, the County Magistrate came back out, sat on the high platform, glanced at those on the floor, and said, "After verification, Lin Qiao is the victim, thus she doesn’t need to repay the silver to the Red Jade Building."

"As for the culprit Song Ming, he must be apprehended and severely punished!"

Not having to repay the silver, knowing Song Ming would be punished, Lin Han was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed, "Thank you, great lord, for standing up for us."

Lin Qiao found it a bit strange; at first, the County Magistrate showed no inclination to stand up for the people.

Soon she realized why.

The shopkeeper from the Ruyi Shop was waiting at the door, "Young lady, is it convenient now? My master wishes to see you."

He was here, obviously aware of her situation. Lin Qiao had a guess in her mind and nodded, "Please lead the way, Shopkeeper."

Then she said to Lin Han and the others, "Mr. Cheng, Dad, Uncle, you go back first, I’ll drive the carriage back later."

Lin Han was hesitant to let his daughter leave with a man, but before he could say anything, Song Tingfan spoke up, "Sister-in-law, I want to go."

"Be good, go back, I will be back later." Seeing him unmoved, Lin Qiao sighed in her heart; the child was growing up and becoming harder to manage.

The shopkeeper smiled, "No problem, let him go with you."

Finally, Lin Han and Cheng Sheng returned to the village, while Song Tingfan and Lin Qiao followed the shopkeeper to the Ruyi Shop.

They went up to the attic on the second floor, but not into the embroidery workshop; they went further inside. The shopkeeper stopped and knocked on the door, "Master, they are here."

"Hmm."

The response came from inside, and only then did the shopkeeper open the door. Seeing Song Tingfan about to enter, he stopped him, "Young man, wait here at the door."

Song Tingfan looked at Lin Qiao, and she nodded. Only then did he stand at the door. When the shopkeeper was about to close it, Song Tingfan reached out and stopped him, saying seriously, "You can’t close it."